Role of angiotensin II type 2 receptor during electrophysiological remodeling of left ventricular hypertrophic myocardium in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Unlabelled: The objective was to investigate the role of angiotensin II type 2 receptor during electrophysiological remodeling of left ventricular hypertrophic myocardium in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). A total of 36, aged 10 weeks, male SHRs were divided into three groups: control, valsartan, and valsartan + PD123319 groups (n = 12 in each). The systolic blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, ventricular effective refractory period, and ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) were also measured after 8 weeks.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without return of spontaneous circulation in the field: Who are the survivors?

Background: Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field is a vital determinant contributing to survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, nearly one third of survivors at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) site did not obtain ROSC in the field.

Methods: A retrospective, observational analysis was performed on all adult patients with non-traumatic OHCA treated on scene and transported to hospital, who did not gain ROSC in the field at DFW ROC site between 2006 through 2011.

Long-term treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with PD123319 and electrophysiological remodeling of left ventricular myocardium.

To investigate the effects of PD123319, an antagonist of angiotensin II subtype-2 receptor (AT2R), on the electrophysiological characteristics of the left ventricular hypertrophic myocardium in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A total of twenty-four 10-week-old male SHR were divided into two groups: PD123319 and non-PD123319 groups (n = 12 in each). Twelve 10-week-old Wistar-Kyoto rats served as the control group.

Ghrelin attenuates sepsis-associated acute lung injury oxidative stress in rats.

This study investigated the effect of ghrelin on oxidative stress in septic rat lung tissue. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operation, sepsis, and ghrelin groups. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture.

Local and systemic oxidative stress status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: To study local and systemic oxidative stress status in COPD patients, and to clarify the relationship between local and systemic oxidative stress.

Methods: Lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels in induced sputum and plasma, as well as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels in peripheral blood leukocytes were examined in 43 acute exacerbation of COPD patients (group A), 35 patients with stable COPD (group B) and 28 healthy controls (14 smokers [group C]; 14 nonsmokers [group D]).

[The relationship of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ ligands activity in nucleated cell and interleukin-6 level in septic rats].

Objective: To observe the relationship between activity of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in nucleated cell and level of pro-inflammatory mediator interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma of rats with sepsis.

Methods: According to the random number table, 90 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely control group, sham operation group and sepsis group. Each group was further divided into three subgroups according to postoperative time points, i.

Role of TNF-α, sTNF-R55 and sTNF-R75 in inflammation of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Although some recent studies have demonstrated the important role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-R) in inflammation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the exact roles of TNF-α and sTNF-R as well as their interaction remained unclear.

Objectives: To study changes in levels of systemic and airway local TNF-α and sTNF-R (sTNF-R55, sTNF-R75) in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and clarify the relationship between these mediators and airflow limitation in AECOPD patients.

Methods: TNF-α, sTNF-R55 and sTNF-R75 levels in induced sputum and plasma as well as lung functions were examined in 48 AECOPD patients before and after treatment.

[Analysis of the status of diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and a study of further strategy to improve the diagnostic level].

Objective: To analyze the present status of diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) by analyzing the clinical data of patients admitted during last 10 years to our hospital, in order to look for a significant diagnostic strategy to improve the diagnostic level.

Methods: The data of patients diagnosed to have PE in last 10 years were analyzed. In the last 5 months, the patients suspected to have PE were diagnosed by a comprehensive approach including clinical manifestations, lung scan and/or spirals computer tomography (SCT) in our emergency department.